Mine ran fine. After I sold it, the new owner didnt seem to get the hang of running it. However, he loved it. After a while he did need to buy some spare washers as he said the filler tap for the boiler had broken its washer. (Hence why I mentioned one needs to keep spares in mind).
The last time he tried it it didnt work but at the time I didnt have time to look further. I wanted to check power was going to the track as when I first had it, it didnt at firs until I found one of the plug in leads to the controller or transformer needed taking out and plunging in again and all went fine. Only issue is that he then has not run it as he was moving house. Since then his trains have not been back from the house move. I did say I would look if he gets them out. Not sure what it is yet. I guess it is something electrical as the brief look I did have was that it was not ceased and held pressure when I revolved the wheels.
He also has other trains up his attic. I dont think he has looked at them either since he has moved.

Just like to add something regarding the Hornby live steam sets. The instructions are way out when it comes to the control of the locomotive and the green or red light. Ignore Hornby instructions regarding this feature.
Also dont run the trains on a table top. Run them on the floor. Why? Well, the loco can easily take off at speed. I would not normally say to run on the floor, but with these locos I will say it is much safer! Yes, one needs to check for hairs that can get entangled, especially as the loco tends to get oily. I wouldn't run them on a layout without protective edges or a table as one is almost guaranteed the thing will leap off and come crashing down below.
I found the best way to run them is with a rake of at least eight bogie coaches behind it. It shoots off far to fast without it. You will need the heat protective gloves provided! The other thing is on the first few runs (And is good practice to check before each run) check the tightness of the crankpins of the wheels. They can easily work lose due to the loco wheels being powered through real pistons.
Other then that, they are a lot of fun!

After reading all the pros and cons of the Hornby live steam has given me food for thought. Do not handle it with out gloves supplied. It can be so hot it may damage points etc; if the loco is stopped. It can also damage scenic stuff along the track unless protected. The control is is very difficult and unreliable which was obvious when I was watching them being demonstrated. Even the experts were having trouble.
That all explained why, when ever I have seen the steam locos demonstrated they have been on a board with nothing but track on it. So nothing to damage.
I don't think I would like to use a live steamer on my layout and spoil all the hard work time spent on it. The Hornby steamers seem to me to be an interesting toy. Not suitable for a detailed layout They need to be used on separate track devoted to them.
I have in the cupboard my old Fire Uniform with heat proof gloves the lot, if anyone is interested please PM me.....John

After reading all the pros and cons of the Hornby live steam has given me food for thought. Do not handle it with out gloves supplied. It can be so hot it may damage points etc; if the loco is stopped. It can also damage scenic stuff along the track unless protected. The control is is very difficult and unreliable which was obvious when I was watching them being demonstrated. Even the experts were having trouble.
That all explained why, when ever I have seen the steam locos demonstrated they have been on a board with nothing but track on it. So nothing to damage.
I don't think I would like to use a live steamer on my layout and spoil all the hard work time spent on it. The Hornby steamers seem to me to be an interesting toy. Not suitable for a detailed layout They need to be used on separate track devoted to them.
I have in the cupboard my old Fire Uniform with heat proof gloves the lot, if anyone is interested please PM me.....John

I don't agree with Footplate1947 as I have 3 of them and ran them around a layout with out any damage to the layout or scenics and I had perfect control of the engine in both directions. If I was offered one at the right price I would add it to my collection to be used. Go to the Hornby live steam club forum as they have all the info on how to run them.

Only going buy all the other comments posted on here so they all must be wrong. Like everything else One mans meat is another mans poison.
If you like it, then do it. Too many conns for my liking though. Dont shoot the messenger.
John

Whats quite good about live steam is the smell of burning oil which gives the layout some atmosphere. If you want a stinky smelly layout room, live steam is the way to go.

I ran my live steam set on my layout and not on the floor. However I used a separate track which would get very oily. This track doubled up as a DC circuit on an otherwise DCC layout.

With a live steam set you get a large and heavy controller and a large and heavy transformer. I was forced to have these on the floor. The main thing is to possess the controller. Once you have this you can get another loco at a lower cost. With more than one loco, things get interesting.

I think the logic for generating steam to pressure from electricity is the weakness of Hornby Live Steam. I think it would be better if a small amount of coal and water was heated and steam released through the cylinders to make a chuff, the loco being part powered by an electric motor. What do you think?